Interestingly, the Child Literacy Centre says that reading to children can help them develop a greater understanding of the world around them, expose them to new situations, and even help them conquer fears. This last part really got our attention. We know that little ones can have lots of fears and that it's often difficult to address these anxieties in a way that doesn't put kids on the spot and embarrass them. So it makes sense that a good book could help create a nonthreatening environment in which to talk about and help ease fears. So we at MommyPicks started looking for high-quality books that effectively address troubles and phobias toddlers may have.

MommyPicks Book Tidbit:

Oliver Has Something to Say! was recently selected as one of the best books of the year by TVOKids. Click here to visit "Gisele's Big Backyard" web site and check out the Book Club archives to see Gisele read Oliver's story out loud.

Oliver has Something to Say! is available on MommyPicks.com. Check out our Store to find it.

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Hey, aspiring authors. Before you set out to try your hand at children’s books, take some time to really think about your motivation. If you have grand hopes of getting rich quick, sitting on the couch next to Oprah as she gushes over your new bestseller, or becoming the next J.K. Rowling overnight, you need to reevaluate your motivation and your expectations. Of course, we all want to make money, or we couldn’t stay in business. And some of us want to make a lot of money. But as anyone in children’s book publishing will tell you, we are also realistic about the rarity of a J.K. Rowling-type success.

If what you have are skills as a writer, knowledge of children’s books and the book market, and a passion for children’s books, and if you really feel as if you have original and meaningful contributions to make, you are then starting on a solid footing. This is where a lot of that aforementioned commitment and patience comes in.)

This post is an excerpt from our free report entitled "The Top 10 Things Every Aspiring Children’s Book Author Should Do", by Meghan, our MommyPicks Editor. You can download the full report on our home page. Having acquiring this report, you may then be invited to join Meghan's MommyPicks Editor's Club, an invaluable resource for every aspiring children's author.

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It's no secret that lots of kids don't like bedtime. Sometimes it seems they'll do anything not to hit the sheets. They want another glass of water ... another story ... reassurance that there are no monsters in the closet. You can see that your child is anxious. How can you help children overcome any anxieties they might have, especially when you might not fully understand their bedtime-related worries?

It's important to know that a lot of night-time fears are directly related to the dark. As children become more aware of danger, their fear of the dark increases. If you think your child's unease at bedtime is due to her fear of the dark, you're probably wondering what you can do. According to Dr. Jane Nelsen, Ed. D., co-author of Positive Discipline A-Z, it's a good idea to get your child to open up about their fears. Talking can help them think everything through. "The more capable a child feels, the less likely she is to be afraid," Dr. Nelsen said in a recent parents.com article. But remember: kids have pretty active imaginations, so you won't be able to rationalize their fears. As parents, all we can do is be patient and really listen to kids' concerns, whatever they may be.

MommyPicks.com Book Tidbit

If you're looking for a fresh take on the child vs. monster conflict, we've found the perfect book to put your child's night-time fears to bed. Penelope and the Monsters, by Sheri Radford, is a particularly clever - and, we might add, FUN - story. This comical twist on bedtime fears is recommended for children ages 4 to 6, but we're pretty sure the entire family (parents included!) will love Penelope's antics.

Hailed by parents and teachers alike, Penelope and the Monsters was a Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice Selection, and was a finalist for both the Ontario Library Association's Blue Spruce Award and the B.C. Chocolate Lily Book Award. This second installment in the "Penelope" series features the young heroine in her toughest problem yet: convincing her parents that she will "never, ever, not in a million trillion gazillion years, go to sleep." She is certain that monsters make her drawers dance, her closet creeeak, and her bed bounce. But to prove her point, she has to confront the strange beings that seem to have made her room their own. According to Resource Links, the strength of Penelope and the Monsters is the portrayal of a "role model of a child demonstrating strength to take control of her own fears." Trust us, by the end of this book, Penelope will have readers hitting the sheets and proudly proclaiming, "I will never, ever, not in a million trillion gazillion years be afraid of monsters again!"

Penelope and the Monsters is available on MommyPicks.com. Check out our Store to find it.

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